Systems and methods for gaming dongles

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments are associated with gaming dongles. Some gaming dongles may store value that is utilized to play a video game and/or to participate in a video game tournament. Some gaming dongles may determine and/or store gaming signatures, biometric information, and/or Global Positioning System (GPS) information. Some gaming dongles may be removably coupled. Some gaming dongles may have two or more portions that may be substantially irreversibly separated, such as by snapping-off one portion from the other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/776,775 entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GAMING DONGLES”filed Jul. 12, 2007 which claims benefit and priority under 35 U.S.C.§119(e) to:

(i) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/807,160 entitled“METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING AUTHENTICATION OF OUTCOMES”filed Jul. 12, 2006;

(ii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/807,150 entitled“METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING REDEMPTION OF AUTHENTICATEDOUTCOMES” filed Jul. 12, 2006;

(iii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/807,171 entitled“METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING GAMING COMPETITIONS” filed Jul.12, 2006; and

(iv) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/807,133 entitled“METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING VERIFICATION OF GAMING INPUTS”filed Jul. 12, 2006.

Each of the above applications is incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

The present application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/284,309 entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR AWARDING PRIZES BASEDON AUTHENTICATION OF COMPUTER GENERATED OUTCOMES USING COUPONS” filedNov. 21, 2005 and which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,362,862 on Apr. 22,2008, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/309,406 entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR AWARDING PRIZES BASED ONAUTHENTICATION OF COMPUTER GENERATED OUTCOMES USING COUPONS” filed Dec.3, 2002, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/298,226 entitled “REMOTE-AUDITING OF COMPUTERGENERATED OUTCOMES, AUTHENTICATED BILLING AND ACCESS CONTROL, ANDSOFTWARE METERING SYSTEM USING CRYPTOGRAPHIC AND OTHER PROTOCOLS” filedApr. 22, 1999, now abandoned, which is itself a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 08/677,544 entitled “REMOTE-AUDITING OFCOMPUTER GENERATED OUTCOMES, AUTHENTICATED BILLING AND ACCESS CONTROL,AND SOFTWARE METERING SYSTEM USING CRYPTOGRAPHIC AND OTHER PROTOCOLS”filed Aug. 8, 1996, and which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,143 on Oct.19, 1999, and which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 08/561,668 entitled “REMOTE AUDITING OF COMPUTER GENERATEDOUTCOMES AND AUTHENTICATED BILLING AND ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM USINGCRYPTOGRAPHIC AND OTHER PROTOCOLS” filed Nov. 22, 1995, and which issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,382 on Jun. 16, 1998.

The entirety of each of these applications is hereby incorporated byreference herein.

BACKGROUND

Video games, online video games, and online video game tournaments havebecome increasingly popular. While participation in some of such gamesmay require an initial investment (e.g., purchasing a game program) orbe free of charge, much online gaming, particularly for ‘premium’ onlinegames, requires payment for participation, which is usually provided inthe form of monthly fees. Fee payment typically requires a player tomaintain and/or purchase an account with an online gaming provider. Suchpayment methodologies may, however, not be advantageous in manycircumstances.

Further, even by paying these fees, the fairness of online gaming orother gaming tournaments is not guaranteed. Online gaming, for example,is subject to hacking and the use of ‘bots’, while offline gamingtournaments are fraught with even more uncertainty.

Accordingly, there exists a need for systems and methods that addressthese and other problems found in existing gaming technologies

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An understanding of embodiments described herein and many of theattendant advantages thereof may be readily obtained by reference to thefollowing detailed description when considered with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a gaming dongle according to someembodiments;

FIG. 3 is a perspective diagram of a gaming dongle according to someembodiments;

FIG. 4 is a perspective diagram of a gaming dongle according to someembodiments;

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are perspective diagrams of a gaming dongleaccording to some embodiments;

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are perspective diagrams of a gaming dongleaccording to some embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a gaming dongle system according to someembodiments;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a method according to some embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a method according to some embodiments; and

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a method according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Introduction

Applicants have recognized that, in some situations, it may beadvantageous to provide a gaming dongle that is capable of storing avalue and/or an amount of value that may be utilized to gain access toand/or participate in video games and/or online video games ortournaments. According to some embodiments, the value may be replenishedand/or recharged. In some embodiments, the value may be stored in asecure and/or removable portion of a gaming dongle. In some embodiments,the value may be stored in a gaming dongle that also stores at least aportion of a game program that is utilized to execute play of aparticular video game.

Applicants have also recognized that it may be advantageous to provide agaming dongle that is operable to determine and/or facilitate adetermination of a gaming signature of a player. In some embodiments, agaming device may make such a determination while an indication of thedetermined gaming signature may be stored in one or more portions of thegaming dongle.

Applicants have also recognized that it may be advantageous to provide agaming dongle that is operable to facilitate verification of video gameresults. A gaming dongle may, for example, comprise: (i) a gamingsignature recognition device to capture gaming signature information ofa player of a video game, where the gaming signature information may beutilized to verify an identity of the player of the video game; (ii) abiometric device to capture biometric information that may be utilizedto verify an identity of a player of a video game; and/or (iii) a GlobalPositioning System (GPS) device to capture location information that maybe utilized to verify a location where a video game result is achieved.

Applicants have further recognized that implementation of someembodiments may be advantageously effectuated by providing a two-piece(and/or multiple piece) gaming dongle.

One portion of the gaming dongle may be utilized to execute a video gameprogram, for example, while another portion of the gaming dongle may beutilized to securely store: (i) value and/or an amount of value; (ii)player gaming signature data; (iii) player biometric data; (iv) GPS dataassociated with the gaming dongle (or portion thereof); and/or (v)encryption data. In some embodiments, two or more portions of the gamindongle may be removably coupled and reversibly separable. In otherwords, the two or more portions may be disconnected and reconnected asdesired. In some embodiments, two or more portions of the gaming donglemay be removably coupled and substantially irreversible separated. Inother words, the two or more portions may be separated in asubstantially permanent manner, such as by snapping and/or pulling themapart, severing a physical link between the portions, breaking and/ortwisting them apart, etc.

According to one or more embodiments, a system (e.g., a gaming dongle)may comprise: (i) a first connector oriented to removably couple to agaming device; (ii) a first memory in communication with the firstconnector; (iii) a secure perimeter, comprising a second memory incommunication with the first connector, the second memory storing anindication of an amount of value, wherein some portion of the amount ofvalue is consumed by an execution of a game program; and (iv) a secondconnector in communication with the second memory, wherein the secondconnector is oriented to interface with a device operable to replenishthe amount of value. In some embodiments, the first memory may store atleast a portion of the game program.

According to one or more embodiments, a system (e.g., a gaming dongle)may comprise: (i) a first dongle portion, comprising: (a) a firstconnector oriented to removably couple to a gaming device; and (b) afirst memory in communication with the first connector, the first memorystoring a game program; and (ii) a second dongle portion, comprising:(c) a second connector oriented to removably couple to the first dongleportion; and (d) a secure perimeter, comprising a second memory incommunication with the second connector, the second memory storing anindication of an amount of value, wherein some portion of the amount ofvalue is consumed by an execution of the game program.

In some embodiments, a method may comprise: (i) receiving, in connectionwith a play of a video game by a player, an indication of a game playinput provided by the player; (ii) determining, based on the indicationof the game play input and based upon a context of the input, a gameplay input characteristic of the player; (iii) determining, based atleast in part on the game play input characteristic of the player, agaming signature representative of the player; and (iv) utilizing thegaming signature representative of the player to verify a game resultsubmitted by the player.

According to some embodiments, a method may comprise: (i) conducting avideo game, by a gaming device, wherein the conducting comprisesexecuting a game program stored in a first memory of a dongle removablycoupled to the gaming device; (ii) receiving, via an input device of thegaming device, indications of gaming input provided by a player of thevideo game; (iii) determining, based on the gaming input provided by theplayer, a gaming signature of the player; (iv) determining, by thegaming device, an outcome of the video game; and (v) storing the outcomeof the video game and an indication of the gaming signature of theplayer in a second memory of the dongle.

In some embodiments, a method may comprise: (i) providing, to a playerof a video game, a two-piece dongle, wherein the first piece of thedongle stores a game program operable to facilitate execution of thevideo game, and wherein the second piece of the dongle comprises amemory disposed within a secure perimeter; (ii) receiving, from theplayer and after a play of the video game by the player, the secondpiece of the dongle, wherein the memory of the second piece of thedongle stores (a) an indication of an outcome of the play of the videogame and (b) verification information; (iii) verifying, utilizing theverification information, that the game outcome was properly achieved bythe player; and (iv) providing, after the verifying and based on thegame outcome, a prize to the player.

II. Terms and Definitions

Throughout the description that follows and unless otherwise specified,the following terms may include and/or encompass the example meaningsprovided in this section. These terms and illustrative example meaningsare provided to clarify the language selected to describe embodimentsboth in the specification and in the appended claims, and accordingly,are not intended to be limiting.

Some embodiments described herein are associated with a “gaming device”.As used herein, the term “gaming device” may generally refer to anydevice that is operable to execute or facilitate the execution of a gameprogram. Gaming devices may comprise, for example, Personal Computer(PC) devices, laptop and/or tablet computers, Personal Digital Assistant(PDA) devices, cellular or other wireless telephones (e.g., the Apple®iPhone™), video game consoles (e.g., Microsoft® Xbox 360™ Sony®Playstation® 3, and/or Nintendo® Wii™), and/or handheld or portablevideo game devices (e.g., Nintendo® Game Boy® or Nintendo® DS™). Gamingdevices may comprise and/or interface with various components such asinput and output devices and gaming dongles (such as in accordance withembodiments described herein).

Some embodiments described herein are associated with a “dongle” or a“gaming dongle”. As used herein, the terms “dongle” and “gaming dongle”are used interchangeably and may generally refer to any device that isoperable to communicate with a gaming device to facilitate execution ofa video game program. Examples of a dongle may include, but are notlimited to, for example, a cable, an adapter, a connector, a cartridge(e.g., a game cartridge), a disk (e.g., a ‘floppy’ disk, CD-ROM, DVD,mini-disk), a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) device or module, asolid-state memory device, a flash memory device, a memory card device,and/or a network communication path, connection, port, and/or cable. Insome embodiments, dongles may be coupled and/or removably coupled to agaming device or portion thereof to facilitate communications therewith.A dongle may be coupled via a connector to a Universal Serial Bus (USB)port of a gaming device, for example, and/or may be coupled to a gamepadinput device associated with the gaming device (e.g., a wired and/orwireless gamepad device). In some embodiments, the gaming device may beoperable to execute a video game program in the absence of a dongle,while in some embodiments the dongle may be required to permit executionof the video game program (e.g., similar to the more historic computingarts usage of the term “dongle”). According to some embodiments, donglesmay be comprised of various parts, portions, segments, and/or pieces.Some dongles, for example, may comprise multiple dongles coupled toand/or in communication with each other. In some embodiments, asdescribed herein, dongle segments, portions, and/or pieces may besubstantially irreplaceably separated (e.g., snapped-off and/or twistedapart). Some dongles may comprise one or more components such as one ormore: input devices, output devices, memory devices, processing devices,biometric devices, GPS devices, and/or encryption devices.

Some embodiments described herein are associated with an “input device”.As used herein, the term “input device” may generally refer to anydevice that is used to receive or process input. An input device maycommunicate with and/or be part of another device (e.g., a gaming deviceand/or a gaming dongle). Some examples of input devices include, but arenot limited to: a game controller and/or gamepad, a bar-code scanner, amagnetic stripe reader, a computer keyboard, a pointing device (e.g., acomputer mouse, touchpad, and/or trackball), a point-of-sale terminalkeypad, a touch-screen, a microphone, an infrared sensor, a sonicranger, a computer port, a video camera, a motion detector, a digitalcamera, a network card, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, a GPSreceiver, a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) receiver, a RFreceiver, a thermometer, a pressure sensor, and a weight scale or massbalance.

Some embodiments described herein are associated with an “outputdevice”. As used herein, the term “output device” may generally refer toa device that is used to output information. An output device maycommunicate with and/or be part of another device (e.g., a gaming deviceand/or a gaming dongle). Possible output devices may include, but arenot limited to: a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitor, a Liquid CrystalDisplay (LCD) screen, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) screen, a printer, anaudio speaker, an Infra-red Radiation (IR) transmitter, an RFtransmitter, and/or a data port.

Some embodiments herein are associated with “communication”. As usedherein, the term “communication” may refer to any information, data,and/or signal that is provided, transmitted, received, and/or otherwiseprocessed by an entity, and/or that is shared or exchanged between twoor more people, devices, and/or other entities.

As used herein, the terms “information” and “data” may be usedinterchangeably and may refer to any data, text, voice, video, image,message, bit, packet, pulse, tone, waveform, and/or other type orconfiguration of signal and/or information. Information may be orinclude information packets transmitted, for example, in accordance withthe Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) standard as defined by “InternetProtocol Version 6 (IPv6) Specification” RFC 1883, published by theInternet Engineering Task Force (IETF), Network Working Group, S.Deering et al. (December 1995). Information may, according to someembodiments, be compressed, encrypted, and/or otherwise packaged ormanipulated in accordance with any method that is or becomes known orpracticable.

Some embodiments described herein are associated with a “communicationsession”. As used herein, the phrase “communication session” may referto any instance and/or occurrence of a receipt, transmittal, exchange,and/or sharing of information associated with the communication betweentwo or more parties and/or entities. A communication session mayinclude, for example, an e-mail transmittal, receipt, and/or exchange,an Instant Messaging (IM) session, a voice call (e.g., over a PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN), a cellular network, or Voice over IP(VoIP)), a file upload, download, and/or exchange, a receipt and/ortransmittal of broadcast media, and/or any combination thereof.Communication sessions may include continuous, periodic, intermittent,and/or any other frequency of communication that is or becomes known orpracticable.

Some embodiments described herein are associated with a “communicationlink”. As used herein, the phrase “communication link” may refer to anyconnection, wire, port, device, and/or signal and/or any transmission,exchange, repeating, and/or other flow of information or data that isassociated with the establishing, maintaining, facilitation, and/orother management and/or participation in a communication session. Insome embodiments, a communication link may involve a “handshake”,multiplexing and/or de-multiplexing of signals, encryption and/ordecryption of data, data validation, data conversion, and/orimplementation of one or more compression, transmission, and/orcommunication protocols.

III. Systems and Apparatus

A. Introduction

Generally, a gaming dongle for use with the some embodiments maycomprise a device that is capable of: (i) determining, recording, and/orstoring value for use in playing video games; (ii) determining,recording, and/or storing a gaming signature of a player for use inverifying game results; (iii) determining, recording, and/or storingbiometric data of a player for use in verifying game results; and/or(iv) determining, recording, and/or storing GPS data for use inverifying game results. In some embodiments, the gaming dongle maycomprise a plurality of separable and/or substantially irreversiblyseparable portions.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a system 100 according tosome embodiments is shown. The system 100 may comprise, for example, agaming device 102 in communication with an input device 104 and anoutput device 106. In some embodiments, the gaming device 102 may be incommunication with and/or coupled to a gaming dongle 110. Any or all ofthe components 102, 104, 106, 110 of the system 100 may communicate viaany means that is or becomes known or practicable. The components 102,104, 106, 110 of the system 100 may, for example, communicate via one ormore wired and/or wireless connections. In some embodiments, more thanone type of communication connection and/or means may be utilized. Somecomponents 102, 104, 106, 110 of the system 100 may communicate via oneor more types of hard-wired connections, for example, while othercomponents 102, 104, 106, 110 of the system 100 may communicateutilizing one or more wireless communication protocols.

In some embodiments, the gaming device 102 may comprise a PC, laptop,PDA, gaming console, handheld gaming device, and/or wireless or cellulartelephone. The input and output devices may comprise any type and/orconfiguration of input and output devices that are or become known orpracticable. The gaming device 102 may, for example, comprise a gamingconsole such as a Nintendo® Wii™, the input device 104 may comprise aWii™ Nunchuck Controller connected (wired and/or wirelessly) to thegaming device 102, and the output device 106 may comprise a TV or othermonitor. In some embodiments, the input device 104 and/or the outputdevice 106 may comprise a plurality of devices, components, and/orportions. The input device 102 may, for example, comprise a Wii™Nunchuck Controller as well as a Wii™ Remote, while the output device106 may comprise a DVD player, TV tuner or receiver, set-top box, TV,and/or other components coupled to output game information.

According to some embodiments, the gaming dongle 110 may comprise adevice that is physically and/or communicatively coupled to the gamingdevice 102 to facilitate execution of a game program. The gaming dongle110 may, for example, store value, at least a portion of which isconsumed by execution of the game program by the gaming device 102. Thevalue may, according to some embodiments, comprise credits, credit,stored cash value, tokens, and/or an amount of other consumable utilizedby the game program. The value may, for example, comprise a number ofballs, hits, swings, ammunition, hit points, energy, and/or time thatmay be utilized by a player of a game associated with execution of thegame program. The gaming dongle 110 may also or alternatively (i) storeand/or determine a gaming signature of a player, (ii) store and/ordetermine biometric data of a player, and/or (iii) store and/ordetermine GPS data associated with the gaming dongle 110 (and/or withthe gaming device 102).

The game program may be stored, according to some embodiments, by thegaming device 102 (e.g., such as in the case that the gaming device 102is intended to only be operable to play a limited number of games, or inthe case that the gaming device is a PC-like device upon which gameprograms are loaded as desired), by a separate game disk and/orcartridge (e.g., a ‘floppy’ disk or a game console cartridge), and/or bythe gaming dongle 110. In some embodiments, the game program may bestored, at least partially, in a plurality of locations. In aclient-server configuration, for example, the gaming device 102 maystore a ‘front-end’ and/or a minimal portion of the game program, forexample, while the remainder of the game program may be stored on aseparate disk, server, and/or device (e.g., on the gaming dongle 110).According to some embodiments, a portion of the game program may bestored on the gaming dongle 110. In some embodiments, the entire gameprogram may be stored on the gaming dongle 110.

B. Gaming Dongle

Turning now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a gaming dongle 210 accordingto some embodiments is shown. In some embodiments, the gaming dongle 210may be similar in configuration and/or functionality to the gamingdongle 110 of FIG. 1. The gaming dongle 210 may comprise, for example, acasing 212 (which may include a first portion 212 a and a second portion212 b) enclosing and/or housing one or more of a first connector 214, asecond connector 216, a joining connector 218 (which may include a firstjoining connector 218 a and a second joining connector 218 b), a firstmemory 220 storing a game program 222, and/or a second memory 230storing one or more of (i) a value 232, (ii) gaming signature data 234,(iii) biometric data 236, and/or (iv) GPS data 238. The gaming dongle210 may also or alternatively, comprise an encryption module 240, aprocessor 244, a biometric device 246, and/or a GPS device 248.According to some embodiments, the gaming dongle 210 may be configuredto perform and/or facilitate processes in accordance with embodimentsdescribed herein. The gaming dongle 210 may, for example, be utilized tostore value 232 utilized to play a game associated with execution of thegame program 222 and/or to store gaming signature data 234, biometricdata 236, and/or GPS data 238 to utilize in verification of game and/ortournament results.

In some embodiments, the casing 212 may be constructed of any suitablematerial such as plastic, resin, rubber, metal, or any combinationsthereof. The casing 212 may, for example, comprise an injection-moldedplastic housing similar to those utilized for common USB memory sticks,thumb drives, and/or micro-drive storage devices. In some embodiments,the casing 212 may comprise a plurality of portions, such as the firstportion 212 a and the second portion 212 b shown in FIG. 2. According tosome embodiments, the first and second portions 212 a-b may beseparable. In some embodiments, the first and second portions 212 a-bmay be reengaged and/or reversibly separable. In the case that the firstand second portions 212 a-b are coupled via the joining connectors 218a-b, and the joining connectors 218 a-b are configured as USB or othermale-female couplings, the first and second portions 212 a-b may beengaged and/or coupled and disengaged and/or de-coupled as desired(e.g., by engaging and disengaging the first and second joiningconnectors 218 a-b, respectively). In the case that the first and secondportions 212 a-b are coupled via a substantially irreversibly separablelink (e.g., one or more thin pieces of plastic; the joining connectors218 a-b), once the first and second portions 212 a-b are de-coupledand/or separated (e.g., torn apart), reattachment and/or re-couplingbecomes substantially impractical. A substantially irreversibleseparation may, in some embodiments, comprise a separation of a typesuch that an adhesive and/or other bonding agent or fastening devicewould be required to re-couple the first and second portions 212 a-b ofthe casing 212. These various configurations of the casing 212 and/orthe plurality of portions 212 a-b thereof may be advantageously utilizedto implement various methods as described herein.

The connectors 214, 216, 218 described herein may generally comprise anytype and/or configuration of connectors that are or become known orpracticable. As used herein the term “connector” may generally refer tomale, female, and/or a combination of male and female connector types.The connectors 214, 216, 218 may include, for example, one or more pinsand/or other protruding electrical contacts (a male connector) or one ormore pin and/or electrical contact receptors, indentations, and/or holes(a female connector); none of which are explicitly shown in FIG. 2.According to some embodiments, the connectors 214, 216, 218 maycomprise, for example, one or more electro-mechanical connectors thatprovide both physical and electrical coupling, such as connectorsconstructed in compliance with and/or to permit transmission of signalsin accordance with (i) the USB interface standard as described in theUSB Specification Revision 2.0 (2000), (ii) the Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (PCI) interface standard as defined by the PCI SpecialInterest Group (SIG) in “PCI Local Bus Specification Revision 2.2” (Dec.18, 1998), (iii) the PCI Express interface standard such as that definedby the PCI Express Base Specification 1.0a, 1394 such as that defined byIEEE 1394B-2002 Standard for Niger Performance Serial-Bus Amendment 2(2002), and/or (iv) the Category 5-e (Cat5e) Cabling standard asdescribed by the American Standards Institute/TelecommunicationsIndustry Association/Electronic Industries Alliance (ANSI/TIA/EIA)568-A-5 addendum (February 2000). According to some embodiments, thelayout, spacing, arrangement, and/or any other electrical contactassociated with the connectors 214, 216, 218 may be determined based onthe specifications of the signal and/or signals desired for transmissionthrough the connectors 214, 216, 218. For example, one or more pins orother contacts of the connectors 214, 216, 218 may be arranged inaccordance with the transmission requirements defined in one or more ofthe specifications for the signals listed above.

The first connector 214, for example, may comprise a male USB connectoroperable to be inserted into a female USB port/receptacle of a gamingdevice (such as the gaming device 102 of FIG. 1) and operable totransmit signals in accordance with the USB 2.0 standard between thegaming device and the gaming dongle 210. In some embodiments, the secondconnector 216 and/or the joining connectors 218 may also oralternatively comprise USB connectors. In some embodiments, one or moreof the connectors 214, 216, 218 may comprise wireless transmissionand/or communication devices such as a transceiver operable to send andreceive signals in accordance with (i) the “InformationTechnology—Telecommunications And Information Exchange BetweenSystems—Local And Metropolitan Area Networks” standard 802.11b-1999®published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers(IEEE), (ii) the Wireless LAN (WLAN) transmission standard802.11b/g-1999/2003® published by the IEEE, and/or (iii) the WLANstandard 802.11h-2003 published by the IEEE. The second connector 216may comprise a wireless receiver operable to wirelessly receiveindications pertaining to replenishing the value 232, for example. Insome embodiments, the joining connectors 218 a-b may also oralternatively comprise one or more wireless transceivers operable toexchange information between the first and second portions 212 a-b ofthe casing 212. In such an embodiment, physical coupling between thefirst and second portions 212 a-b of the casing 212, if desired, may beaccomplished via one or more magnetic and/or ferrous portions (notexplicitly shown in FIG. 2) of the first and second portions 212 a-b.

In some embodiments, such as in the case that the first and secondportions 212 a-b of the casing 212 are operable to be snapped-off,pulled or twisted apart, and/or otherwise substantially irreversiblyseparated, the joining connectors 218 a-b may also be substantiallyirreversibly separated, or even substantially disabled or destroyed. Thejoining connectors 218 a-b may simply comprise one or more electricaltraces, for example, that are severed upon a disjoining of the first andsecond portions 212 a-b of the casing 212. According to someembodiments, the joining connectors 218 a-b may be designed specificallyto become permanently disabled upon a disjoining of the first and secondportions 212 a-b of the casing 212.

The first memory 220 and the second memory 230 may, according to someembodiments, comprise any type and/or configuration of data storagedevices that are or become known or practicable. The memories 220, 230may, for example, include any appropriate combination of magnetic,optical and/or semiconductor memory, including, but not limited to oneof, or any combination of: (i) RAM; (ii) Dynamic RAM (DRAM); (iii)embedded DRAM (eDRAM); (iv) Static RAM (SRAM); (v) ferroelectric RAM(FeRAM); (vi) magneto-resistive RAM (MRAM); (vii) phase-change RAM(PRAM); (viii) resistive RAM (RRAM); (ix) Nano-RAM (NRAM); (x)zero-capacitor RAM (Z-RAM); (xi) twin-transistor RAM (TTRAM); (xii)Read-Only Memory (ROM); (xiii) programmable ROM (PROM) orfield-programmable ROM (FPROM); (xiv) electrically erasable PROM(EEPROM); (xv) flash memory; and/or (xvi)Semiconductor-Oxide-Nitride-Oxide-Semiconductor (SONOS). In someembodiments, the memories 220, 230 may include one or more embeddedprocessors, communication ports, CD devices, and/or hard disks. In someembodiments, the memories 220, 230 may comprise a single memory and/ormemory device, disposed within either the first portion 212 a or thesecond portion 212 b of the casing 212. In some embodiments, the gamingdongle 210 may only comprise a single memory device such as the memory230 (e.g., the first memory 220 may not be required and/or desirable insome embodiments). In the case that the game program 222 is stored in oron a device other than the gaming dongle 210 (such as the gaming device102 of FIG. 1 and/or a separate game disk or cartridge), for example,the first memory 220 either may not be included in the gaming dongle210, or the first memory 220 may be included, but may not store anyportion of the game program 222. The first memory 220 may, according tosome embodiments for example, simply comprise a flash memory operable tostore information (either related to or nor related to the game program222), similar to a standard USB memory stick device. In someembodiments, the first memory 220 may store any portion of the gameprogram 222. The first memory 220 may, for example, store substantiallythe entire game program 222 or may store a fractional portion of thegame program 222. According to some embodiments, the game program 222 ora portion thereof may also or alternatively be stored in the secondmemory 230 (although such an embodiment is not explicitly shown in FIG.2).

In some embodiments, the second memory 230 may store the value 232,gaming signature data 234, biometric data 236, and/or GPS data 238. Thesecond memory 230 may, for example, store the value 232 which may beutilized and or consumed by the game program 222 to execute a playsession of a game. In some embodiments, the value 232 may bereplenished, recharged, and/or otherwise altered (even depleted ifdesired), such as in the case that the second memory 230 receives one ormore signals via the second connector 216. The second memory 230 mayalso or alternatively store gaming signature data 234. In the case thata player's gaming signature is determined (such as by the gaming device102 of FIG. 1 and/or by the processor 244), for example, data indicativeof the gaming signature may be stored in the second memory 230. In someembodiments, such data 234 may comprise data utilized to determine agaming signature of a player. The second memory 230 may also oralternatively store either or both of biometric data 236 and GPS data238. The biometric data 236 may be provided by the biometric device 246,for example, while the GPS 238 data may be provided by the GPS device248. In some embodiments, any or all of the gaming signature data 234,the biometric data 236, and/or the GPS data 238 may be utilized toverify and/or facilitate verification of game results associated with anexecution of the game program 222. Some or all of the data 232, 234,236, 238 stored by the second memory 230 may also or alternatively bestored in the first memory 220 (although such an embodiment is notexplicitly shown in FIG. 2).

In some embodiments, a single combined memory (e.g., comprising acombination of the first and second memories 220, 230; not explicitlyshown in FIG. 2) and/or the second memory 330 may reside within a secureperimeter 250. The secure perimeter 250 may generally comprise anystructure, code (including microcode), firmware, and/or device that isoperable to prevent, hinder, thwart, and/or allow identification oftampering with the gaming dongle 210 (and/or the second portion 212 b ofthe casing 212 or the secure perimeter 250). Examples of variousimplementations of a secure perimeter are described at length in U.S.Pat. No. 5,970,143, such concepts and description of which are herebyincorporated by reference herein.

In some embodiments, the secure perimeter 250 may be configured toprotect the value 232. In the case that the value 232 is associated withcash value, for example, it may be desirable to ensure that the value232 is not compromised (e.g., to prevent fraud, undue enrichment, andthe like). Similarly, in the case that one or more of the gamingsignature data 234, the biometric data 236, and/or the GPS data 238 areutilized to verify game results (particularly in the case where the gameresults may qualify a player for a prize of value), such data may bestored within and/or be otherwise protected by the secure perimeter 250.According to some embodiments, such as in the case that the encryptionmodule 240 (which may include encryption and/or decryption capabilities)is included in the gaming dongle 210 to encrypt and/or encode any of thedata 232, 234, 236, 238 stored in the secure perimeter 250, theencryption module 240 may itself be protected by and/or included withinthe secure perimeter 250 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2), to further protectand/or secure any encryption data and/or algorithms that may be utilizedby the encryption module 240. The encryption module 240 may itselfcomprise any type and/or configuration of encryption, decryption,encoding, and/or decoding device, code, and/or firmware that is orbecomes known or practicable. Examples of the encryption module 240 aredescribed in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,143, such concepts anddescription of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

In some embodiments, the secure perimeter 250 may include other oralternative components of the gaming dongle 210 (e.g., the secureperimeter 250 may be configured other than shown in FIG. 2). The secureperimeter 250 may, for example, also or alternatively protect the firstmemory 220 and/or the game program 222 (or any portions thereof). Insome embodiments, the secure perimeter 250 may be substantially disposedwithin and/or comprise the second portion 212 b of the casing 212 (e.g.,as shown in FIG. 2). Such a configuration may (particularly inembodiments where the second portion 212 b of the casing 212 issubstantially irreversibly separable from the first portion 212 a), forexample, facilitate and/or ease manufacturing, facilitate and/or easeseparation of the first and second portions 212 a-b of the casing 212,and/or reduce costs associated with the first portion 212 a of thecasing 212 of the gaming dongle 210 (e.g., since the first portion 212 amay not require the secure perimeter 250, the first portion 212 a may beless expensive to manufacture, produce, and/or distribute).

According to some embodiments, the gaming dongle 210 may comprisevarious components utilized to receive, sense, gather, procure, process,and/or otherwise determine any of the data 232, 234, 236, 238 storedwithin the second memory 230. In embodiments where gaming signature data234 is stored in the gaming dongle 210, for example, the processor 244may be utilized to determine and/or process such data 234. In someembodiments, based on various inputs and/or actions associated with aplayer's play of a gaming session (e.g., made possible by execution ofthe game program 222) the processor 244 may compute and/or otherwisedetermine a gaming signature of the player, and may provide the gamingsignature data 234 to the second memory 230 as an indication of thedetermined gaming signature. According to some embodiments, theprocessor 244 may make such determinations by executing instructionsstored in a memory (not explicitly shown in FIG. 2), such as either orboth of the first and second memories 220, 230. In some embodiments, theprocessor 244 may be entirely or partially disposed within a gamingdevice (such as the gaming device 102 of FIG. 1) and/or within aperipheral device (not shown in either of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2). Thedetermination of the player's gaming signature and/or of the gamingsignature data 234, for example, may be accomplished by a gaming devicein communication with the gaming dongle 210 (e.g., via the firstconnector 214).

According to some embodiments, the gaming dongle 210 may also oralternatively comprise the biometric device 246, which may be or includeany type and/or configuration of biometric device that is or becomesknown or practicable. The biometric device 246 may, for example,comprise an optical and/or ultrasonic fingerprint and/or thumbprintreader or scanner and/or a processing device to create a biometrictemplate of a fingerprint/thumbprint scan. In some embodiments, thebiometric device 246 may be associated with and/or comprise theprocessor 244. The processor 244 may be operable to process scansreceived from the biometric device 246, for example, such as byexecuting one or more pattern-based and/or minutia-based algorithms(e.g., that may be stored in either or both of the memories 220, 230).In some embodiments, the processor 244 may itself be considered a“biometric device”, at least because the determination of gamingsignatures may be considered a determination of a “behavioralbiometric”.

According to some embodiments, the gaming dongle 210 may also oralternatively comprise the GPS device 248, which may be or include anytype and/or configuration of location determination and/or GPS devicethat is or becomes known or practicable. The GPS device 248 maygenerally, for example, comprise a GPS receiver operable to determine alocation associated with the gaming dongle 210. The term “GPS” isutilized herein for exemplary purposes to describe any type and/orconfiguration of location determination means. A GPS device inaccordance with embodiments herein may, for example, comprise any typeof Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) device such as a GPSdevice, a European Union Galileo positioning system device, a RussianGlobal Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) device, a Chinese BeidouSatellite Navigation and Position System device, a French DopplerOrbitography and Radio-positioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS)device, and/or an Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS)device, a Decca Navigation System device, a Long Range Navigation(LORAN) System device, an Alpha (RSDN-20) and/or Omega Navigation Systemdevice, an enhanced 911 (E911) cellular service device, a PersonalLocator Beacon (PLB) device, one or more signal triangulation devices,and/or any combination thereof.

In embodiments where the game program 222 is stored by the gaming dongle210 and/or executed by a gaming device utilizing the gaming dongle 210,a determination, by the GPS device 248 of a location of the gamingdongle 210 may be representative of a location where the game program222 is executed (e.g., and where a game played in response thereto istherefore played). In some embodiments, GPS data 238 may be determinedby the GPS device 248 and then utilized, for example, to determine if aplay of the game occurred at an acceptable location. Game results,particularly for tournaments and/or online tournaments, for example, maynot be valid if the game is played on school grounds (e.g., duringschool hours), outside of a particular area and/or jurisdiction, and/orin one or more other unauthorized areas (e.g., in too close a proximityto other game players).

Although FIG. 2 illustrates communication paths and/or connectionsbetween various components of the gaming dongle 210, any orientationand/or configuration of communication paths that is or becomes desirableand/or practicable may be implemented in the gaming dongle 210 withoutdeviating from the embodiments described herein. While the encryptionmodule 240 is shown in direct communication only with the second memory230, for example, the encryption module 240 may instead (or also) be indirect or indirect communication with any of the first memory 220, theprocessor 244, the biometric device 246, the GPS device 248, and/or thefirst and second connectors 214, 216. The encryption module 240 may, forexample, encrypt and/or encode (i) gaming signature data 234 output bythe processor 244, (ii) biometric data 236 output by the biometricdevice 246, and/or (iii) GPS data 238 output by the GPS device 248.Fewer or more components that are shown in FIG. 2 may also oralternatively be incorporated into the gaming dongle 210.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a perspective diagram of a gaming dongle 310according to some embodiments is shown. In some embodiments, the gamingdongle 310 may be similar in configuration and/or functionality to anyof the gaming dongles 110, 210 of FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 2 herein. Thegaming dongle 310 may comprise, for example, a casing 312 enclosingand/or housing a first connector 314, a second connector 316, and/or abiometric device 346. According to some embodiments, the components 312,314, 316, 346 of the gaming dongle 310 may be similar in configurationand/or functionality to the similarly named and/or numbered componentsdescribed in reference to FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 2 herein. The gaming dongle310 may be configured, for example, to perform and/or facilitateprocesses in accordance with embodiments described herein.

As shown for exemplary purposes in FIG. 3, the gaming dongle 310 may beassociated with a particular game and/or type of game. As shown, forexample, the gaming dongle 310 may comprise a “golf” dongle. In someembodiments, the gaming dongle 310 may store a game program (such as thegame program 222 of FIG. 2) that is operable to be executed (e.g., by agaming device such as the gaming device 102 of FIG. 1) to allow play ofa golf video game. In such embodiments, the gaming dongle 310 maysubstantially replace a game disk, CD, DVD, and/or cartridge that gamingconsoles and/or PC devices have historically utilized to execute videogames. The gaming dongle 310 may, as shown in FIG. 3 for example,comprise a USB-type first connector 314 that may engaged with aUSB-receptor and/or connector of a gaming device to allow the gamingdevice to access and execute the game program (e.g., to execute the golfvideo game).

In some embodiments, the gaming dongle 310 may also or alternativelystore value (such as the value 232 of FIG. 2). The value may generallycomprise generic or general value, such as cash equivalent (e.g., anumber of cents and/or dollars) and/or a number of tokens, tickets, orcredits. The value may also or alternatively comprise game-specificvalue such as a number of golf balls, a number of strokes, a number ortype of golf clubs, a number of holes or courses, etc. According to someembodiments, the value may be replenished, recharged, loaded, and/orotherwise modified (e.g., depleted or removed) via one or more signalstransmitted via the second connector 316. The second connector 316 may,as shown in FIG. 3 for example, be configured as a female connectorreceptor that is operable to receive a connector (not shown) fromanother device (also not shown). In such a manner, for example, theother device may send signals to the gaming dongle 310 and/or directlyinto a memory or secure perimeter (such as the memories 220, 230 and/orthe secure perimeter 250 of FIG. 2; none of which are shown explicitlyin FIG. 3) of the gaming dongle 310 to alter the value stored therein.In some embodiments, the second connector 316 may be configured as aproprietary connector such that only authorized devices, such as aPoint-Of-Sale (POS) device or other device operated by a commercialentity, may interface with the gaming dongle 310 to alter the value.

According to some embodiments (such as shown in FIG. 3), the gamingdongle 310 may comprise a biometric device 346. The biometric device 346may, for example, comprise a fingerprint scanner that is operable togather information from a player's finger swiped over the biometricdevice 346. In some embodiments, the biometric device 346 may interfacewith various components within the gaming dongle 310 to secure, encrypt,decrypt, and/or allow access to information stored within the gamingdongle 310. In some embodiments, the biometric device 346 may beutilized to allow execution of the golf video game program. In otherwords, the golf video game may only execute for certain players that areauthorized to play the game. Such players may, for example, beregistered as authorized at a time and/or place of purchase of thegaming dongle 310, or may be registered pursuant to a setup routineexecuted the first time the gaming dongle 310 is interfaced with (e.g.,inserted into a port of) a gaming device. According to some embodiments,the biometric device 346 may be utilized to capture player biometricdata that is then stored and later utilized to verify that a playerattempting to submit and/or certify game results (e.g., a low scoringgolf game result) is the same player that achieved the game results.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a perspective diagram of a gaming dongle 410according to some embodiments is shown. In some embodiments, the gamingdongle 410 may be similar in configuration and/or functionality to anyof the gaming dongles 110, 210, 310 of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and/or FIG. 3herein. As shown in FIG. 4, the gaming dongle 410 may comprise atwo-piece dongle (e.g., as opposed to the one-piece dongle 310 shown inFIG. 3). The gaming dongle 410 may comprise, for example, a casing 412that comprises a first portion 412 a and one of a plurality of secondportions 412 b-1, 412 b-2. In some embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 4,the first portion 412 a may comprise a first connector 414 (e.g., forconnecting to a gaming device) and a first joining connector 418 a. Thesecond portions 412 b-1, 412 b-2 may, according to some embodiments, beremovably coupled to the first portion 412 a (and/or the first joiningconnector 418 a thereof) via second joining connectors 418 b-1, 418 b-2.As shown in FIG. 4, any or all of the first connector 414 and thejoining connectors 418 b-1, 418 b-2 may comprise USB-type male and/orfemale electromechanically connectors. As described herein, any otherand/or alternative form of connector may be utilized without deviatingfrom the scope of embodiments described herein. In some embodiments,different connector types may be utilized for any or all of theconnectors 414, 416, 418 a, 418 b-1, 418 b-2. According to someembodiments, the components 412, 412 b-1, 412 b-2, 414, 418 a, 418 b-1,418 b-2 of the gaming dongle 410 may be similar in configuration and/orfunctionality to the similarly named and/or numbered componentsdescribed in reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and/or FIG. 3 herein. Thegaming dongle 410 may be configured, for example, to perform and/orfacilitate processes in accordance with embodiments described herein.

For example, the first portion 412 a of the gaming dongle 410 may storea game program operable to facilitate execution of a golf video game(continuing the example from FIG. 3), such as by coupling the firstconnector 414 to a port of a gaming device (such as the gaming device102 of FIG. 1). In some embodiments, play of the golf video game may beachieved by utilizing the first portion 412 a of the gaming dongle 410in conjunction with a gaming device. According to some embodiments,however, the “bucket of balls” second portion 412 b-1 of the gamingdongle 410 may store a value that is required to execute play of thegolf video game. As indicated by the name assigned to the “bucket ofballs” second portion 412 b-1 of the gaming dongle 410, for example, the“bucket of balls” second portion 412 b-1 may store an indicationrepresenting a number of golf balls.

In some embodiments, the golf video game may be executed in the absenceof the “bucket of balls” second portion 412 b-1, but the player of thegolf game may, in such a case, not have any balls to hit, and mayeffectively therefore, not be able to play the golf video game. Upon acoupling of the “bucket of balls” second portion 412 b-1 to the firstportion 412 a (e.g., utilizing the first joining connector 418 a and the“bucket of balls” joining connector 418 b-1), the player may be providedwith a number of golf balls to play with in the golf video game, and maytherefore be able to effectively participate in and play the golf videogame. In some embodiments, the “bucket of balls” second portion 412 b-1may alternatively be coupled between the gaming device and the firstportion 412 a of the gaming dongle 410. The “bucket of balls” joiningconnector 418 b-1 may couple to the gaming device, for example, and thefirst connector 414 may couple to a joining connector disposed on theopposing end of the “bucket of balls” second portion 412 b-1 (not shown;e.g., that may be configured similar to the first joining connector 418a). According to some embodiments, other dongle portions such as the“Masters” second portion 412 b-2 may also be coupled to the firstportion 412 a, such as via a coupling of the first joining connector 418a and the “Masters” second joining connector 418 b-2. In such a manner,for example, multiple dongle portions 412 a, 412 b-1, 412 b-2 may becoupled and/or utilized in a chain configuration.

In some embodiments, the value (e.g., the number of golf balls) may beconsumed, at some rate, by execution of the golf video game program.Every time the player loses a golf ball by hitting it off the golfcourse, for example, a golf ball may be deducted from the value storedin the “bucket of balls” second portion 412 b-1 of the gaming dongle410. At some point, the value/number of golf balls may be depleted viaplay of the golf video game. According to some embodiments, the valuestored in the “bucket of balls” second portion 412 b-1 of the gamingdongle 410 may then be replenished, such as by taking the “bucket ofballs” second portion 412 b-1 of the gaming dongle 410 to a retailer andpaying to have more golf balls added to the stored value. Adding,replenishing, and/or storing value may generally be accomplished at anytime, and in some embodiments, is not limited to the case when the valuebecomes entirely depleted. A player may, for example, add twenty (20)golf balls to the “bucket of balls” second portion 412 b-1 of the gamingdongle 410 when an original value of one hundred (100) golf balls is notyet depleted, or has only been depleted by ten (10) balls. Although thevalue stored in the “bucket of balls” second portion 412 b-1 of thegaming dongle 410 is described and shown as being a game-specific value(e.g., a number of golf balls), the value may also or alternativelycomprise a generic cash and/or other value, such as a number of credits.In such a manner, for example, the “bucket of balls” second portion 412b-1 of the gaming dongle 410 could be utilized to provide value for playof a variety of games (e.g., be operable to interface with a pluralityof different first portions 412 a), and presumably would be labeleddifferently in such embodiments (e.g., the “bucket of balls” secondportion 412 b-1 of the gaming dongle 410 may instead be labeled “gamingcredits”).

In some embodiments, the golf video game may be entirely executedwithout requiring a connection to any second portion 412 b-1, 412 b-2.The first portion 412 a may substantially function, for example, as agame ‘stick’. A second portion 412 b-1, 412 b-2 may be required in suchembodiments, however, for a player to participate in a tournamentassociated with the golf game. In some embodiments, for example, the“Masters” second portion 412 b-2 may be coupled to the first portion 412a (e.g., utilizing the first joining connector 418 a and the “Masters”joining connector 418 b-2), to allow a player to play the golf videogame in tournament mode. In other words, the “Masters” second portion412 b-2 may store information (e.g., a value) that permits the gameprogram to be executed in a different mode and/or the “Masters” secondportion 412 b-2 may simply allow golf video game result information tobe stored in a verifiable manner so that the player may enter suchresults into a tournament. The “Masters” second portion 412 b-2 may, forexample, be configured to store golf video game results as well asvarious verification information as described herein, such as gamingsignature data, biometric data, and/or GPS data. According to someembodiments, the “Masters” second portion 412 b-2 may then, for example,be turned into a gaming authority and/or taken to a retail or otherestablishment (such as a gaming tournament kiosk) to provide theverifiable game results (and other stored info) and thereby enter the“Masters” tournament. In some embodiments, such a tournament entrysecond portion 412 b-2 may be limited to a number of uses, such as asingle use.

Turning to FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, for example, perspective diagrams of agaming dongle 510 according to some embodiments are shown. In someembodiments, the gaming dongle 510 may be similar in configurationand/or functionality to any of the gaming dongles 110, 210, 310, 410 ofFIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and/or FIG. 4 herein. As shown in FIG. 5A andFIG. 5B, the gaming dongle 510 may comprise a two-piece dongle that isconfigured to be substantially irreversible separable (e.g., as opposedto the two-piece dongle 410 shown in FIG. 4 that is reversiblyseparable). The gaming dongle 510 may comprise, for example, a firstcasing portion 512 a and a second casing portion 512 b. In someembodiments, such as shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the first portion 512a may comprise a first connector 514 (e.g., for connecting to a gamingdevice) and the first and second portions 512 a, 512 b may be removablycoupled via a joining connector 518. According to some embodiments, thecomponents 512 a, 512 b, 514, 518 of the gaming dongle 510 may besimilar in configuration and/or functionality to the similarly namedand/or numbered components described in reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2,FIG. 3, and/or FIG. 4 herein.

The joining connector 518 may, according to some embodiments, comprise athin connecting strip of plastic that is operable, upon introduction ofa stress, such as a bending stress applied as shown by the arrow in FIG.5A, to snap, tear, and/or break, such that the first casing portion 512a and the second casing portion 512 b become separated. In someembodiments, at least because the joining connector 518 may snap, tear,and/or break upon introduction of an appropriately applied stress, uponseparation, the joining connector 518 may become substantially unusable,at least with respect to coupling or re-coupling the first and secondcasing portions 512 a, 512 b. According to some embodiments, the joiningconnector 518 may comprise one or more perforations, indentations,and/or other features (none of which are explicitly shown by FIG. 5A orFIG. 5B) configured to facilitate separation of the first and secondcasing portions 512 a, 512 b. In some embodiments, the joining connector518 may also or alternatively be configured to be severed, such as byutilization of a utility knife or pair of scissors (e.g., the plasticand/or other material bridge between the first and second casingportions 512 a, 512 b may be designed to be thicker to help preventunintended separations). According to some embodiments, the shapes ofthe first and second casing portions 512 a, 512 b may also oralternatively be beveled (e.g., as shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B) tofacilitate application of a bending stress as indicated by the arrow inFIG. 5A.

In some embodiments, the gaming dongle 510 may be utilized to play agame (such as a golf video game, continuing the example from FIG. 3 andFIG. 4) and a result of the game may be stored in a memory within thesecond casing portion 512 b. The second casing portion 512 b maycomprise, for example, a secure perimeter. The second casing portion 512b may also store verification information such as gaming signature data,biometric data, GPS data, and/or other data or codes that may beutilized to verify the stored game results. As described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,970,143, for example, a hash value and/or other informationutilized to verify either or both of the game result and the gameprogram may be stored. Such concepts and descriptions of which arehereby incorporated by reference herein. In some embodiments, suchinformation may be stored in the second casing portion 512 b while itremains attached to the first casing portion 512 a (such as shown inFIG. 5A). This may, for example, comprise a configuration of the gamingdongle 510 as purchased by a game player and/or other consumer.

In some embodiments, the second casing portion 512 b may be separatedand/or severed from the first casing portion 512 a (such as shown inFIG. 5B). Once a game result (or plurality or set of game results) isstored in the second casing portion 512 b, for example, the secondcasing portion 512 b may be redeemed for entry into a tournament,sweepstakes, and/or other competition. For game results to qualify aplayer for a prize, for example, the second casing portion 512 b mayhave to be returned and/or provided to an entity such as an entityassociated with a particular tournament and/or game. The second casingportion 512 b may be mailed to and/or handed-in in person to a retailstore and/or collection facility, for example, such that the player'sgame results (and any attendant verification information) may beprovided to the entity running the tournament (e.g., the “golftourney”). In some embodiments, once the second casing portion 512 b isseparated and/or severed from the first casing portion 512 a, the gamingdongle 510 may not again be usable for tournament play. A player maypurchase the gaming dongle 510 as a game ‘stick’, for example that comeswith a one-shot or single attempt tournament feature. According to someembodiments, the golf video game may continue to be played even afterseparation of the second casing portion 512 b.

Turning to FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, perspective diagrams of a gaming dongle610 according to some embodiments are shown. In some embodiments, thegaming dongle 610 may be similar in configuration and/or functionalityto any of the gaming dongles 110, 210, 310, 410, 510 of FIG. 1, FIG. 2,FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5A, and/or FIG. 5B herein. As shown in FIG. 6A andFIG. 6B, the gaming dongle 610 may comprise a two-piece dongle that isconfigured to be substantially irreversible separable (e.g., similar tothe two-piece dongle 510 shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B). The gamingdongle 610 may comprise, for example, a first casing portion 612 a and asecond casing portion 612 b. In some embodiments, such as shown in FIG.6A and FIG. 6B, the first portion 612 a may comprise a first connector614 (e.g., for connecting to a gaming device) and the first and secondportions 612 a, 612 b may be removably coupled via a joining connector618. According to some embodiments, the components 612 a, 612 b, 614,618 of the gaming dongle 610 may be similar in configuration and/orfunctionality to the similarly named and/or numbered componentsdescribed in reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5A,and/or FIG. 5B herein.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B illustrate an exemplary gaming dongle 610 that isergonomically configured for ease of separation of the first and secondcasing portions 612 a, 612 b. While the gaming dongle 510 of FIG. 5A andFIG. 5B is illustrated as being configured to accept a bending forceoperable to separate the first and second casing portions 512 a, 512 b,for example, the second casing portion 612 b of the gaming dongle 610 ofFIG. 6A and FIG. 6B is illustrated as being configured to facilitateapplication of a rotational and/or torsion force that may causeseparation of the first and second casing portions 612 a, 612 b. Thesecond casing portion 612 b may be rotated or twisted in accordance withthe arrows shown in FIG. 6A, for example, to apply a torsion and/orrotational force (e.g., a rotational and/or torsion shear force) that isoperable to snap, tear, and/or break the joining connector 618 (e.g.,which may comprise a breakable adhesive coupling, fastener, and/ormaterial bridge). In some embodiments not shown explicitly in FIG. 6A orFIG. 6B, the rotational de-coupling of the first and second casingportions 612 a, 612 b may be advantageously implemented as a reversibleseparation by having the joining connector 618 comprise a threadedconnector that may be screwed and un-screwed as desired. In suchembodiments, the joining connector 618 may also form an electricalcoupling, such as in the case that the threaded connector is made ofconductive materials such as metal (or otherwise comprise one or moreelectrical traces or contacts).

As shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, the gaming dongle 610 may be associatedwith a game other than golf, such as “football”. In such embodiments,the second casing portion 612 b may be complimentarily associated with a“football” related event such as a “super bowl”. This may represent, forexample, a “super bowl” tournament that may be entered into by a playerof the “football” game (e.g., by playing the game to store resultsand/or verification data the second casing portion 612 b, and thentwisting-off the second casing portion 612 b, as shown in FIG. 6B, forredemption). In some embodiments, the second “super bowl” casing portion612 b may include data unique to the tournament. The second “super bowl”casing portion 612 b may store, for example, one or more game parametervalues, special capabilities, graphics (logos, scenery, playing fields,jersey graphics, etc.), sounds, etc., that the standard “football” gamemay not otherwise include. Such an embodiment may be particularlyadvantageous in the case that the first and second casing portions 612a, 612 b are reversibly separable. In such an embodiments, for example,a player may purchase, rent, or borrow different second casing portions612 b that each allow the player to access different maps, fields,levels, capabilities, etc., within the game play as executed inaccordance with the game program associated with the first casingportion 612 a.

C. Gaming Dongle System

Turning to FIG. 7, a diagram of a gaming dongle system 700 according tosome embodiments is shown. In some embodiments, the gaming dongle system700 may comprise a gaming device 702, an input device 704, a displaydevice 706, a telephone device 708, and/or a gaming dongle 710. Thegaming dongle 710 may comprise, for example, a first connector 714, afirst casing portion 712 a, and/or a second casing portion 712 b. Insome embodiments, the gaming dongle 710 may be similar in configurationand/or functionality to any of the gaming dongles 110, 210, 310, 410,510, 610 of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 6A,and/or FIG. 6B herein. In some embodiments, the gaming dongle system 700may also or alternatively comprise a gaming authority device 760.

The gaming dongle 710 may, in some embodiments, be coupled to the gamingdevice 702 to execute a game program (e.g., to play a sports, racing,first-person shooter, strategy, and/or other video game). As describedherein, the gaming dongle 710 may store the game program or a portionthereof (e.g., in the first casing portion 712 a), or may otherwiseinterface with the gaming device 702 (e.g., the gaming dongle 710 maysimply be utilized to store and/or verify game results). The inputdevice 704 (illustrated as a gamepad controller in FIG. 7) may beutilized by a player to play a game in accordance with the execution ofthe game program and the display device 706 may generally be utilized bythe gaming device 702 to provide game output to the player (e.g.,graphics and/or sound). Other configurations of the gaming device 702,the input device 704, and the display device 706, are contemplated insome embodiments. Fewer or more components may, for example, be utilizedto execute the game program and/or to facilitate play of the game inaccordance therewith.

In some embodiments, once a player of the game achieves a result and/orset of results by playing the game, such results and/or indicationsthereof may be stored on the gaming dongle 710. According to someembodiments, the results and/or indications may be stored in the secondcasing portion 712 b, which may, for example, comprise a secureperimeter. In accordance with the arrow labeled “A” in FIG. 7, theplayer may separate the second casing portion 712 b from the firstcasing portion 712 b of the gaming dongle 710. The separation may, forexample, comprise unplugging the second casing portion 712 b from thefirst casing portion 712 a, or may comprise snapping off, breaking off,tearing off, and/or otherwise severing the second casing portion 712 bfrom the first casing portion 712 a.

In accordance with the arrow labeled “B” in FIG. 7, the second casingportion 712 b may then be provided to a gaming authority and/or gamingauthority device 760. The player may mail the second casing portion 712b to the gaming authority and/or gaming authority device 760, forexample, or may bring the second casing portion 712 b to a retail and/orother facility associated with the gaming authority and/or gamingauthority device 760. While only the second casing portion 712 b isillustrated as being delivered and/or provide to the gaming authorityand/or gaming authority device 760 in FIG. 7, some embodimentscontemplate providing the entire gaming dongle 710 (e.g., such as in thecase that the gaming dongle 710 comprises a single-piece dongle).

In some embodiments, the gaming authority and/or gaming authority device760 may comprise a POS terminal at a retail store, for example, and/ormay comprise a kiosk configured to receive (and/or communicate with) thesecond casing portion 712 b. According to some embodiments, the secondcasing portion 712 b may then be queried by the gaming authority and/orgaming authority device 760. This may occur at a facility associatedwith the gaming authority and/or gaming authority device 760, forexample, and/or may occur in the presence of the player (e.g., while theplayer waits). In some embodiments, the querying may be a simpleelectronic polling, interrogation, scanning, and/or communication. Thesecond casing portion 712 b may be coupled to the gaming authorityand/or gaming authority device 760, for example, such as directly via aport or connection (e.g., via the second connector 216, 316 of eitherFIG. 2 and/or FIG. 3) and/or indirectly via a wireless communication(such as via a wireless LAN standard and/or via various inductiveinterrogation techniques). In some embodiments, the querying may beinitiated to verify one or more of (i) the game result(s), (ii) anidentity of the player (e.g., via physical and/or behavioralbiometrics), (iii) a location at which the results were achieved (e.g.,via GPS data), and/or (iv) a version and/or integrity of the gameprogram.

In some embodiments, the verification may comprise receiving a code 770from the player, the code 770 indicating that the second casing portion712 b provided by the player is associated with the first casing portion712 a (e.g., that the player presumably utilized, such as in the casethat it stores a portion of the game program, to achieve the result(s)).According to some embodiments, the first casing portion 712 a and/orcomponents therein may cause such a code 770 to be output to the player,such as by displaying the code 770 via the display device 706 (as shownin FIG. 7). In some embodiments, the code 770 may simply be emblazoned,etched, and/or otherwise indicated by the first portion of the casing712 a itself. In some embodiments, the code 770 may be revealed by theseparation of the first and second casing portions 712 a, 712 b. Thecode 770 may, for example, by indicated on a portion of either of thefirst or second casing portions 712 a, 712 b that is covered and/orotherwise inaccessible until the first and second casing portions 712 a,712 b are separated.

The player may then utilize the telephone device 708, in accordance withthe arrow labeled “C” in FIG. 7 for example, to provide the code 770(e.g., via the arrow labeled “D” in FIG. 7) to the gaming authorityand/or gaming authority device 760. According to some embodiments, thecode 770 may be utilized by the gaming authority and/or gaming authoritydevice 760 to verify the relationship between the second casing portion712 b and the first casing portion 712 a. In some embodiments, the code770 may be utilized to verify that the gaming device 702 is the samegaming device that was utilized by the player to achieve the gameresult(s). Prior to the second casing portion 712 b being separated fromthe first casing portion 712 a and/or from the gaming device 702, forexample, the second casing portion 712 b may store and/or encrypt a codeassociated with the gaming device 702. The code stored and/or encryptedby the second casing portion 712 b may then, for example, be compared tothe code 770 provided by the gaming device 702 to the player, to verifyan equivalence there between. In some embodiments, upon successfulverification of any desired metrics related to the game result(s), aprize 780, such as cash and/or cash-equivalent awards, may be providedto the player. In some embodiments, such a prize 780 may be provided tothe player by the gaming authority and/or gaming authority device 760(e.g., in accordance with the arrow labeled “E” in FIG. 7). In someembodiments, the prize 780 may also or alternatively be provided by athird-party and/or third party device (not shown).

According to some embodiments, the gaming authority and/or gamingauthority device 760 may query and/or prompt the player for the code770. This may be performed via telephone and/or via the gaming device702. In the case that the gaming device 702 is in communication with anetwork such as the Internet, for example, the gaming authority and/orgaming authority device 760 may query the gaming device 702 directly todetermine the code 770, and/or may prompt the player, via the gamingdevice 702, to provide the code 770. In some embodiments, any or all ofthe components 702, 704, 706, 708, 710 may be located within a home 790and/or other location or building associated with the player. In someembodiments, any GPS data associated with the game play may be required,as a prerequisite for obtaining the prize 780, to correspond to the home790 of the player.

IV. Processes

Various embodiments will now be described with references to methodsassociated with some embodiments. The methods described herein maygenerally be performed by one or more of the systems 100, 700 and/or anyof the many components and devices described herein. Otherconfigurations of systems and devices may also or alternatively beutilized to perform the methods described herein without deviating fromthe scope of some embodiments.

Turning to FIG. 8, for example, a flow diagram of a method 800 accordingto some embodiments is shown. The method 800 may generally comprise, forexample, a method for determining a behavioral biometric, such as agaming signature, of a player. In some embodiments, the method 800 (orportions thereof), and all other processes described herein unlessexpressly specified otherwise, may be performed, for example, by agaming device 102, 702, a gaming dongle 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610,710, a gaming authority device 760, and/or any combination thereof.Additionally, while some of the procedures of a process or method may beperformed by a first device, other steps may be performed by anotherdevice and/or a combination of devices. Further, the method 800, and allother processes described herein unless expressly specified otherwise,may include procedures in addition to those expressly depicted in thefigures or described in the specification without departing from thespirit and scope of some embodiments. Similarly, the procedures of themethod 800 and any other process described herein, unless expresslyspecified otherwise, may be performed in an order other than depicted inthe figures or described in the specification, as is practicable and/orappropriate.

In some embodiments, the method 800 may comprise receiving, inconnection with a play of a video game by a player, an indication of agame play input provided by the player. A player may utilize, forexample, an input device (such as the input devices 104, 704 of FIG. 1and/or FIG. 7) to interact with a game program (e.g., the game program222 of FIG. 2) to play a video game, at 802. In some embodiments, theindication of the input may comprise an indication of a particularbutton pushed by the player, a timing of providing of the input by theplayer, an angle associated with a directional input provided by theplayer, a force associated with a providing of the input by the player,etc. Such information may, according to some embodiments, be stored in amemory, such as a memory of a gaming dongle as described herein.

The method 800 may, according to some embodiments, comprise determining,based on the indication of the game play input and based upon a contextof the input, a game play input characteristic of the player, at 804. Acontext of the player's input within the game may, for example, bedetermined and/or recorded. In the case that a player provides a certaindirectional input in response to an in-game danger appearing on adisplay device, for example, the direction and/or timing of the player'sdirectional input may be recorded along with an indication that theinput was provided in apparent response to the display of a particulargame element (e.g., the danger). Apparent response may generally bedetermined by timing metrics. In the case that a specific event occurswithin the game, for example, a player input received substantiallyimmediately thereafter (e.g., in a small amount of time thereafter) maybe considered to be in response to the event. The timing thresholdutilized to determine apparent response may vary between game typesand/or game speeds (e.g., even within a particular game). For slow-pacedstrategy games or for other games where events are currently occurringat a slow pace, the next input provided by a player after an event maybe considered to be in response to the event, even if the input isprovided many seconds or more after the event. In high-action,fast-paced games or game segments, however, the player input may have tooccur within seconds or fractions of a second after an event to beconsidered an apparent response to the event.

In some embodiments, apparent response may be otherwise determined. Inthe case that a player input is provided in special relation toparticular elements on a display of the game, for example, the input maybe considered to be an apparent response to and/or associated withelements that overlap with and/or are proximate to a location designatedby the input. In the case that a player's goal is to shoot items on thedisplay screen, for example, an input that designated a display pixel incommon with a specific item may be considered to be associated with theitem. Location thresholds and/or scatter regression or probabilityanalysis may also or alternatively be utilized to determine a relationbetween the input and a game feature. In the case that a player shootsseveral times but never hits any item in the game, for example, an itemthat is closest to one or more of the shot inputs may be consideredrelated. Similarly, any pattern formed by the shots may be analyzed todetermine an item that was the likely target of the player. A center ofmass, centriod, and/or mean or median point may be determined for a setof input data, for example, to approximate an item targeted andtherefore apparently associated with the player's inputs.

According to some embodiments, the method 800 may comprise determining,based at least in part on the game play input characteristic of theplayer, a gaming signature representative of the player, at 806. Arelationship between the player's inputs and/or types of inputs inresponse to various game events and/or elements may, for example, bedetermined. A player may, for example, tend to move an in-game characteror device in a certain direction when a particular event occurs withinthe game (such as a reaction of the player that causes the player tomove away from an in-game danger in a particular manner). As anotherexample, an analysis of the player's inputs and related gamecharacteristics may reveal that the player tends to (e.g., is morelikely than not to and/or is very likely to) press a particular buttonwhen a particular shape or element is shown on the display screen. Insuch a manner, for example, unique or pseudo-unique characteristics,which may be considered behavioral biometrics, may be determined for aplayer. Such characteristics are generally referred to herein as a“gaming signature”. In general, the more data (e.g., inputs and/orrelations between inputs and game characteristics) that is capturedand/or analyzed for a player, the more accurate and/or unique a player'sgaming signature may become. Accordingly, it may be desirable in someembodiments, such as in the case that the gaming signature may beutilized to verify game results (e.g., for a tournament), to requireand/or cause the player to play a plurality of sessions (e.g., theplayer must progress through several levels) prior to considering thegaming signature to be determined.

The method 800 may also or alternatively comprise utilizing the gamingsignature representative of the player to verify a game result submittedby the player, at 808. An indication of the gaming signature (e.g., thegaming signature data 234 of FIG. 2) may, for example, be stored in agaming dongle for use in verifying that the player attempting toregister and/or certify a game result (or plurality of results) is thesame player that achieved the result(s). A player may provide a gamingdongle storing an indication of a game result (e.g., a high score in abowling video game) in order to enter or qualify for a tournament, forexample. In some embodiments, such as in the case that a gamingsignature is already associated with the player and/or an identifier ofthe player (e.g., the player is a registered or known player that haspreviously had a gaming signature determined or assigned), anyindication of a gaming signature associated with play of the game thatresulted in the stored result(s) may be compared to the pre-existinggaming signature to determine a probability of whether the same playerachieved the result(s). If the probability is high or there is an exactmatch between the gaming signatures, the result(s) may be determined tobe valid (e.g., the result may be determined to have been appropriatelyobtained by the same player attempting to enter the tournament and/orcertify the result(s)). In the case that the probability is not high orthere is no match between the gaming signatures, the result(s) may bedetermined to be invalid or secondary or other metrics (e.g., physicalbiometrics and/or GPS) may be utilized to attempt to further verifyvalidity or invalidity of the result(s).

According to some embodiments, such as in the case that no preexistinggaming signature is on file for the player, the player may be requiredto provide a number of inputs in an attempt to match the gamingsignature stored on the dongle. A gaming signature test or simulationmay be conducted at a POS terminal and/or utilizing a test gaming deviceat a location at which the player is attempting to enter the tournamentor certify the result(s), for example. In some embodiments, the playermay be required to play a predetermined amount of the same game that theplayer is attempting to certify results for, for gaming signaturecomparison purposes (e.g., the player need not reproduce the high scoreof the previous gaming result).

Referring now to FIG. 9, a flowchart of a method 900 according to someembodiments is shown. In some embodiments, the method 900 may be relatedto the method 800 of FIG. 8. The method 900 may, for example, compriseprocesses that are a continuation of and/or are supplemental to those ofthe method 800 of FIG. 8.

According to some embodiments, the method 900 may comprise conducting avideo game, by a gaming device, wherein the conducting comprisesexecuting a game program stored in a first memory of a dongle removablycoupled to the gaming device, at 902. As described herein, for example,a gaming dongle may comprise a game ‘stick’ that is effectively utilizedin place of a game disk, CD, CD-ROM, and/or cartridge. Players mayutilize a plurality of such gaming dongles, for example, to play aplurality of different games on a gaming device. In some embodiments, asingle gaming dongle may store a plurality of game programs (e.g., suchthat different games may be selected and played utilizing a singlegaming dongle). Also as described herein, in some embodiments the gamingdongle may only store a portion of the game program, such that anotherportion of the game program may be stored by the gaming device and/or byanother removable medium.

In some embodiments, the method 900 may comprise receiving, via an inputdevice of the gaming device, indications of gaming input provided by aplayer of the video game, at 904. A player may utilize, as describedherein for example, an input device such as a game controller (e.g., agamepad, a ‘nunchuck’, and/or a remote control), keyboard, pointingdevice, joystick, etc., to provide input to a gaming device (and/or tothe gaming dongle, such as in the case that the gaming dongle is coupledto the gaming device via the input device). The input may comprisegame-play input such as moves, selections, and/or other game playactions. The input may also or alternatively comprise general gamingdevice inputs such as menu selections, configuration settings,preference settings, test and/or calibration procedures, etc. In someembodiments, all such inputs or a sampling (such as a random sampling)of such inputs may be recorded by the gaming dongle (e.g., to determineand/or facilitate determination of a gaming signature associated withthe player).

According to some embodiments, the method 900 may comprise determining,based on the gaming input provided by the player, a gaming signature ofthe player, at 906. As described with respect to the method 800 of FIG.8, for example, one or more of the gaming device, the gaming dongle,and/or a separate peripheral device may utilize the input provided bythe player to determine and/or compute a gaming signature associatedwith the player. According to some embodiments, player inputs may becompared to expected player inputs to determine deviations from what isexpected. In the case that a player is prompted or expected to click ona particular point or spot, for example, a deviation from the point orspot actually selected by the player may be recorded and/or utilized todetermine the gaming signature. A player may routinely provide inputsthat are within a certain range of distance, timing, and/orangular/directional variations from expected inputs, for example, andsuch deviations may therefore provide a good approximation of how theplayer's inputs may be identified as being associated with the player.

In some embodiments, such as in the case that any algorithms utilized todetermine a player's gaming signature may be desirable to keep secret(e.g., to prevent tampering), such algorithms and/or any processor thatparticipates in the determination may be stored within a secureperimeter. The algorithms may be stored in volatile memory, for example,and may be automatically erased upon any efforts to tamper with and/oraccess the algorithms and/or secure processor.

In some embodiments, the method 900 may comprise determining, by thegaming device, an outcome of the video game, at 908. The outcome maycomprise, for example, a final score and/or achievement obtained by theplayer, or may also or alternatively comprise some intermediate or finalscore, achievement, statistic, or other parameter. In some embodiments,the outcome may comprise a game result as described herein. According tosome embodiments, the specific outcome or type of outcome may bedetermined by the gaming device, by the gaming dongle, by a peripheraldevice, and/or by a server (such as a Web server). While scoresrepresent a typical outcome that is utilized to compare player'sachievements and/or to judge results of a competition or tournament, insome embodiments one or more other or additional outcomes may beutilized. In some embodiments, the selected type of outcome may be basedon some central determination that is not made known to the player. AWeb server in communication with the gaming device may, upon conclusionof a game play (and/or upon some intermediate level, stage, oroccurrence) for example, select a type of outcome to be utilized indetermining a winner of a tournament. Players of the tournament may beunaware of which type of outcome or achievement may win the tournament,in advance of playing the game. In some embodiments, the gaming donglemay make such a determination. Different classes of gaming dongle may besold with coded instructions to select a particular outcome type for atournament, for example, and players may not know which class of donglewas purchased. According to some embodiments, the determination of thetype of outcome may be random (e.g., the gaming device, the gamingdongle, a peripheral device, and/or a server may randomly determinewhich type(s) of outcome(s) are of interest).

According to some embodiments, the method 900 may comprise storing theoutcome of the video game and an indication of the gaming signature ofthe player in a second memory of the dongle, at 910. In someembodiments, the second memory may be disposed within a secure perimeterof the gaming dongle, as described herein. Upon achievement of theoutcome and/or upon a determination of which type(s) of outcome(s) tostored, for example, a signal may be transmitted to the gaming donglethat causes the gaming dongle to store an indication of the outcome(s).The gaming dongle and/or the stored indication may then, for example, beutilized to enter and/or win a tournament or other competition. Thegaming signature of the player may, in some embodiments, be utilized toverify that the player attempting to enter or win the tournament (orotherwise certify the outcome) is likely to be the same player thatachieved the outcome(s). In some embodiments, however, such as in thecase that symmetry of player identities is not desired or required, thegaming signature data and/or gaming signature verification may not benecessary in the method 900.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a flowchart of a method 1000 according to someembodiments is shown. In some embodiments, the method 1000 may berelated to any of the methods 800, 900 of FIG. 8 and/or FIG. 9. Themethod 1000 may, for example, comprise processes that are a continuationof and/or are supplemental to those of the methods 800, 900 of FIG. 8and/or FIG. 9.

According to some embodiments, the method 1000 may comprise providing,to a player of a video game, a two-piece dongle, wherein the first pieceof the dongle stores a game program operable to facilitate execution ofthe video game, and wherein the second piece of the dongle comprises amemory disposed within a secure perimeter, at 1002.

In some embodiments, the method 1000 may comprise receiving, from theplayer and after a play of the video game by the player, the secondpiece of the dongle, wherein the memory of the second piece of thedongle stores (i) an indication of an outcome of the play of the videogame and (ii) verification information, at 1004.

According to some embodiments, the method 1000 may comprise verifying,utilizing the verification information, that the game outcome wasproperly achieved by the player, at 1006.

In some embodiments, the method 1000 may comprise providing, after theverifying and based on the game outcome, a prize to the player, at 1008.

In some embodiments, the method 1000 may also or alternatively compriseother procedures. The method 1000 may comprise, for example, one or moreof: (i) requesting that the player provide a code that is caused to beoutput by the first piece of the dongle; (ii) receiving an indication ofthe code from the player; and/or (iii) comparing the code to theverification information to (a) verify that the second piece of thedongle is related to the first piece of the dongle, and/or (b) verifythe identity of the player.

V. Rules of Interpretation

Numerous embodiments are described in this patent application, and arepresented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments arenot, and are not intended to be, limiting in any sense. The presentlydisclosed invention(s) are widely applicable to numerous embodiments, asis readily apparent from the disclosure. One of ordinary skill in theart will recognize that the disclosed invention(s) may be practiced withvarious modifications and alterations, such as structural, logical,software, and electrical modifications. Although particular features ofthe disclosed invention(s) may be described with reference to one ormore particular embodiments and/or drawings, it should be understoodthat such features are not limited to usage in the one or moreparticular embodiments or drawings with reference to which they aredescribed, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The present disclosure is neither a literal description of allembodiments of the invention nor a listing of features of the inventionthat must be present in all embodiments.

Neither the Title (set forth at the beginning of the first page of thispatent application) nor the Abstract (set forth at the end of thispatent application) is to be taken as limiting in any way as the scopeof the disclosed invention(s).

The term “product” means any machine, manufacture and/or composition ofmatter as contemplated by 35 U.S.C. §101, unless expressly specifiedotherwise.

The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “theembodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “someembodiments”, “one embodiment” and the like mean “one or more (but notall) disclosed embodiments”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

A reference to “another embodiment” in describing an embodiment does notimply that the referenced embodiment is mutually exclusive with anotherembodiment (e.g., an embodiment described before the referencedembodiment), unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “including”, “comprising” and variations thereof mean“including but not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

The term “plurality” means “two or more”, unless expressly specifiedotherwise.

The term “herein” means “in the present application, including anythingwhich may be incorporated by reference”, unless expressly specifiedotherwise.

The phrase “at least one of”, when such phrase modifies a plurality ofthings (such as an enumerated list of things) means any combination ofone or more of those things, unless expressly specified otherwise. Forexample, the phrase at least one of a widget, a car and a wheel meanseither (i) a widget, (ii) a car, (iii) a wheel, (iv) a widget and a car,(v) a widget and a wheel, (vi) a car and a wheel, or (vii) a widget, acar and a wheel.

The phrase “based on” does not mean “based only on”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise. In other words, the phrase “based on” describesboth “based only on” and “based at least on”.

The term “whereby” is used herein only to precede a clause or other setof words that express only the intended result, objective or consequenceof something that is previously and explicitly recited. Thus, when theterm “whereby” is used in a claim, the clause or other words that theterm “whereby” modifies do not establish specific further limitations ofthe claim or otherwise restricts the meaning or scope of the claim.

Where a limitation of a first claim would cover one of a feature as wellas more than one of a feature (e.g., a limitation such as “at least onewidget” covers one widget as well as more than one widget), and where ina second claim that depends on the first claim, the second claim uses adefinite article “the” to refer to the limitation (e.g., “the widget”),this does not imply that the first claim covers only one of the feature,and this does not imply that the second claim covers only one of thefeature (e.g., “the widget” can cover both one widget and more than onewidget).

Each process (whether called a method, algorithm or otherwise)inherently includes one or more steps, and therefore all references to a“step” or “steps” of a process have an inherent antecedent basis in themere recitation of the term ‘process’ or a like term. Accordingly, anyreference in a claim to a ‘step’ or ‘steps’ of a process has sufficientantecedent basis.

When an ordinal number (such as “first”, “second”, “third” and so on) isused as an adjective before a term, that ordinal number is used (unlessexpressly specified otherwise) merely to indicate a particular feature,such as to distinguish that particular feature from another feature thatis described by the same term or by a similar term. For example, a“first widget” may be so named merely to distinguish it from, e.g., a“second widget”. Thus, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers “first” and“second” before the term “widget” does not indicate any otherrelationship between the two widgets, and likewise does not indicate anyother characteristics of either or both widgets. For example, the mereusage of the ordinal numbers “first” and “second” before the term“widget” (1) does not indicate that either widget comes before or afterany other in order or location; (2) does not indicate that either widgetoccurs or acts before or after any other in time; and (3) does notindicate that either widget ranks above or below any other, as inimportance or quality. In addition, the mere usage of ordinal numbersdoes not define a numerical limit to the features identified with theordinal numbers. For example, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers“first” and “second” before the term “widget” does not indicate thatthere must be no more than two widgets.

When a single device or article is described herein, more than onedevice or article (whether or not they cooperate) may alternatively beused in place of the single device or article that is described.Accordingly, the functionality that is described as being possessed by adevice may alternatively be possessed by more than one device or article(whether or not they cooperate).

Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein(whether or not they cooperate), a single device or article mayalternatively be used in place of the more than one device or articlethat is described. For example, a plurality of computer-based devicesmay be substituted with a single computer-based device. Accordingly, thevarious functionality that is described as being possessed by more thanone device or article may alternatively be possessed by a single deviceor article.

The functionality and/or the features of a single device that isdescribed may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devicesthat are described but are not explicitly described as having suchfunctionality and/or features. Thus, other embodiments need not includethe described device itself, but rather can include the one or moreother devices which would, in those other embodiments, have suchfunctionality/features.

Devices that are in communication with each other need not be incontinuous communication with each other, unless expressly specifiedotherwise. On the contrary, such devices need only transmit to eachother as necessary or desirable, and may actually refrain fromexchanging data most of the time. For example, a machine incommunication with another machine via the Internet may not transmitdata to the other machine for weeks at a time. In addition, devices thatare in communication with each other may communicate directly orindirectly through one or more intermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components or features doesnot imply that all or even any of such components and/or features arerequired. On the contrary, a variety of optional components aredescribed to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of thepresent invention(s). Unless otherwise specified explicitly, nocomponent and/or feature is essential or required.

Further, although process steps, algorithms or the like may be describedin a sequential order, such processes may be configured to work indifferent orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps thatmay be explicitly described does not necessarily indicate a requirementthat the steps be performed in that order. The steps of processesdescribed herein may be performed in any order practical. Further, somesteps may be performed simultaneously despite being described or impliedas occurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is describedafter the other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by itsdepiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated process isexclusive of other variations and modifications thereto, does not implythat the illustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to theinvention, and does not imply that the illustrated process is preferred.

Although a process may be described as including a plurality of steps,that does not indicate that all or even any of the steps are essentialor required. Various other embodiments within the scope of the describedinvention(s) include other processes that omit some or all of thedescribed steps. Unless otherwise specified explicitly, no step isessential or required.

Although a product may be described as including a plurality ofcomponents, aspects, qualities, characteristics and/or features, thatdoes not indicate that all of the plurality are essential or required.Various other embodiments within the scope of the described invention(s)include other products that omit some or all of the described plurality.

An enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does notimply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unlessexpressly specified otherwise. Likewise, an enumerated list of items(which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of theitems are comprehensive of any category, unless expressly specifiedotherwise. For example, the enumerated list “a computer, a laptop, aPDA” does not imply that any or all of the three items of that list aremutually exclusive and does not imply that any or all of the three itemsof that list are comprehensive of any category.

Headings of sections provided in this patent application and the titleof this patent application are for convenience only, and are not to betaken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

“Determining” something can be performed in a variety of manners andtherefore the term “determining” (and like terms) includes calculating,computing, deriving, looking up (e.g., in a table, database or datastructure), ascertaining and the like.

It will be readily apparent that the various methods and algorithmsdescribed herein may be implemented by, e.g., appropriately programmedgeneral purpose computers and computing devices. Typically a processor(e.g., one or more microprocessors) will receive instructions from amemory or like device, and execute those instructions, therebyperforming one or more processes defined by those instructions. Further,programs that implement such methods and algorithms may be stored andtransmitted using a variety of media (e.g., computer readable media) ina number of manners. In some embodiments, hard-wired circuitry or customhardware may be used in place of, or in combination with, softwareinstructions for implementation of the processes of various embodiments.Thus, embodiments are not limited to any specific combination ofhardware and software.

A “processor” means any one or more microprocessors, CPU devices,computing devices, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, or likedevices.

The term “computer-readable medium” refers to any medium thatparticipates in providing data (e.g., instructions) that may be read bya computer, a processor or a like device. Such a medium may take manyforms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media,and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, opticalor magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media includeDRAM, which typically constitutes the main memory. Transmission mediainclude coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including thewires that comprise a system bus coupled to the processor. Transmissionmedia may include or convey acoustic waves, light waves andelectromagnetic emissions, such as those generated during RF and IR datacommunications. Common forms of computer-readable media include, forexample, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, anyother magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punchcards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, aRAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip orcartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other mediumfrom which a computer can read.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carryingsequences of instructions to a processor. For example, sequences ofinstruction (i) may be delivered from RAM to a processor, (ii) may becarried over a wireless transmission medium, and/or (iii) may beformatted according to numerous formats, standards or protocols, such asBluetooth™, TDMA, CDMA, 3G.

Where databases are described, it will be understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art that (i) alternative database structures to thosedescribed may be readily employed, and (ii) other memory structuresbesides databases may be readily employed. Any illustrations ordescriptions of any sample databases presented herein are illustrativearrangements for stored representations of information. Any number ofother arrangements may be employed besides those suggested by, e.g.,tables illustrated in drawings or elsewhere. Similarly, any illustratedentries of the databases represent exemplary information only; one ofordinary skill in the art will understand that the number and content ofthe entries can be different from those described herein. Further,despite any depiction of the databases as tables, other formats(including relational databases, object-based models and/or distributeddatabases) could be used to store and manipulate the data typesdescribed herein. Likewise, object methods or behaviors of a databasecan be used to implement various processes, such as the describedherein. In addition, the databases may, in a known manner, be storedlocally or remotely from a device that accesses data in such a database.

The present invention can be configured to work in a network environmentincluding a computer that is in communication, via a communicationsnetwork, with one or more devices. The computer may communicate with thedevices directly or indirectly, via a wired or wireless medium such asthe Internet, LAN, WAN or Ethernet, Token Ring, or via any appropriatecommunications means or combination of communications means. Each of thedevices may comprise computers, such as those based on the Intel®Pentium® or Centrino™ processor, that are adapted to communicate withthe computer. Any number and type of machines may be in communicationwith the computer.

The present disclosure provides, to one of ordinary skill in the art, anenabling description of several embodiments and/or inventions. Some ofthese embodiments and/or inventions may not be claimed in the presentapplication, but may nevertheless be claimed in one or more continuingapplications that claim the benefit of priority of the presentapplication. Applicants intend to file additional applications to pursuepatents for subject matter that has been disclosed and enabled but notclaimed in the present application.

1. A system, comprising: a first connector oriented to removably coupleto one or more of (i) a gaming device, and (ii) a gaming input device; afirst memory in communication with the first connector, the first memorystoring at least a portion of a game program; a secure perimeter,comprising: a second memory in communication with the first connector,the second memory storing an indication of an amount of value, whereinsome portion of the amount of value is consumed by an execution of thegame program; and a second connector in communication with the secondmemory, wherein the second connector is oriented to interface with adevice operable to replenish the amount of value.
 2. The system of claim1, wherein the device operable to replenish the amount of valuecomprises a device different than the first connector.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the second connector comprises a magnetic stripereader.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second connector comprisesa wireless communication device.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein oneor more of the first connector and the second connector comprise a USBconnector.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein both of the first connectorand the second connector comprise a USB connector.
 7. The system ofclaim 1, wherein one or more of the first memory and the second memoryfurther stores instructions, that when executed by a processor areoperable to: determine, for a game based on an execution of the gameprogram, a gaming signature of a player of the game.
 8. The system ofclaim 7, wherein a determination of the player's gaming signature isbased on input received via an input device operated by the player. 9.The system of claim 8, further comprising: the gaming device, whereinthe gaming device is in communication with one or more of the firstmemory and the second memory via the first connector; and the inputdevice, wherein the input device is in communication with the gamingdevice.
 10. The system of claim 7, further comprising: the processor.11. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is disposed within thesecure perimeter.
 12. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a GPSdevice in communication with one or more of: (i) the first connector;(ii) the second connector; (iii) the first memory; and (iv) the secondmemory.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the GPS device is disposedwithin the secure perimeter.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein the GPSdevice is operable to prevent the game program from being executed basedon positioning information sensed by the GPS device.
 15. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the second memory further stores an indication of aresult of a game based on an execution of the game program.
 16. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the second memory further stores anindication of a software version of the game program.
 17. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising: a biometric device physically integratedinto a housing of the system and being in communication with one or moreof: (i) the first connector; (ii) the second connector; (iii) the firstmemory; and (iv) the second memory.
 18. The system of claim 17, whereinthe biometric device is operable to prevent the game program from beingexecuted based on biometric information sensed by the biometric device.19. A system, comprising: a first dongle portion, comprising: a firstconnector oriented to removably couple to a gaming device; and a firstmemory in communication with the first connector, the first memorystoring a game program; and a second dongle portion, comprising: asecond connector oriented to removably couple to the first dongleportion; and a secure perimeter, comprising: a second memory incommunication with the second connector, the second memory storing anindication of an amount of value, wherein some portion of the amount ofvalue is consumed by an execution of the game program.
 20. The system ofclaim 19, wherein the second connector comprises a USB connector. 21.The system of claim 19, wherein the second connector is further orientedto interface with a device operable to replenish the amount of value.22. The system of claim 21, wherein the device operable to replenish theamount of value comprises a POS terminal.
 23. The system of claim 19,wherein the first dongle portion and the second dongle portion arecoupled in a snap-off fashion such that an application of force isoperable to cause the first dongle portion and the second dongle portionto separate.
 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the game program is notoperable to be executed in the case that the first dongle portion andthe second dongle portion are separated.
 25. The system of claim 23,wherein the game program is not operable to be executed forparticipation in an online gaming tournament in the case that the firstdongle portion and the second dongle portion are separated.
 26. Thesystem of claim 23, wherein a separation of the first dongle portion andthe second dongle portion is a substantially irreversible separation.27. The system of claim 19, wherein both of the first connector and thesecond connector comprise a USB connector.
 28. The system of claim 19,wherein one or more of the first memory and the second memory furtherstores instructions, that when executed by a processor are operable to:determine, for a game based on an execution of the game program, agaming signature of a player of the game.
 29. The system of claim 28,wherein a determination of the player's gaming signature is based oninput received via an input device operated by the player.
 30. Thesystem of claim 29, further comprising: the gaming device, wherein thegaming device is in communication with one or more of the first memoryand the second memory via the first connector; and the input device,wherein the input device is in communication with the gaming device. 31.The system of claim 28, further comprising: the processor.
 32. Thesystem of claim 31, wherein the processor is disposed within the secureperimeter.
 33. The system of claim 19, further comprising: a GPS devicein communication with one or more of: (i) the first connector; (ii) thesecond connector; (iii) the first memory; and (iv) the second memory.34. The system of claim 33, wherein the GPS device is disposed withinthe secure perimeter.
 35. The system of claim 33, wherein the GPS deviceis operable to prevent the game program from being executed based onpositioning information sensed by the GPS device.
 36. The system ofclaim 19, wherein the second memory further stores an indication of aresult of a game based on an execution of the game program.
 37. Thesystem of claim 19, wherein the second memory further stores anindication of a software version of the game program.
 38. The system ofclaim 19, further comprising: a biometric device in communication withone or more of: (i) the first connector; (ii) the second connector;(iii) the first memory; and (iv) the second memory.
 39. The system ofclaim 38, wherein the biometric device is operable to prevent the gameprogram from being executed based on biometric information sensed by thebiometric device.
 40. An apparatus, comprising: a processor; and amemory in communication with the processor, the memory storinginstructions that when executed by the processor result in: receiving,in connection with a play of a video game by a player, an indication ofa game play input provided by the player; determining, based on theindication of the game play input and based upon a context of the input,a game play input characteristic of the player; determining, based atleast in part on the game play input characteristic of the player, agaming signature representative of the player; and utilizing the gamingsignature representative of the player to verify a game result submittedby the player.
 41. The method of claim 40, wherein the utilizing,comprises: receiving an indication of the game result submitted by theplayer; determining a gaming signature associated with the game result;and comparing the gaming signature associated with the game result andthe gaming signature representative of the player.
 42. The method ofclaim 40, wherein the receiving, the determining of the game play inputcharacteristic, and the determining of the gaming signaturerepresentative of the player are conducted by a dongle removably coupledto a gaming device that executes the video game.
 43. The method of claim42, wherein the dongle comprises a memory that stores a game programutilized by the gaming device to execute the video game.
 44. The methodof claim 40, wherein the utilizing is conducted by a dongle removablycoupled to a gaming device that executes the video game.
 45. The methodof claim 40, wherein the utilizing, comprises: submitting the gamingsignature representative of the player to a central controller.
 46. Themethod of claim 40, wherein the utilizing, comprises: submitting, to acentral controller, an encrypted indication of (i) the gaming signaturerepresentative of the player and (ii) a result of the video game. 47.The method of claim 40, wherein the utilizing, comprises: submitting, toa central controller, an encrypted indication of (i) the gamingsignature representative of the player, (ii) a result of the video game,and (iii) an indication of a version of software utilized to execute thevideo game.
 48. A method, comprising: conducting a video game, by agaming device, wherein the conducting comprises executing a game programstored in a first memory of a dongle removably coupled to the gamingdevice; receiving, via an input device of the gaming device, indicationsof gaming input provided by a player of the video game; determining,based on the gaming input provided by the player, a gaming signature ofthe player; determining, by the gaming device, an outcome of the videogame; and storing the outcome of the video game and an indication of thegaming signature of the player in a second memory of the dongle.
 49. Themethod of claim 48, wherein the determining of the gaming signature ofthe player, comprises: determining a specific input that the player isattempting to provide; determining an actual input provided by theplayer, wherein the actual input deviates from the specific input thatthe player is attempting to provide; and determining, based on thedeviation of the actual and attempted inputs, the gaming signature ofthe player.
 50. The method of claim 48, wherein the second memory of thedongle is disposed within a secure perimeter of the dongle.
 51. Themethod of claim 50, wherein the secure perimeter of the dongle isremovable from the dongle.
 52. The method of claim 51, wherein thesecure perimeter of the dongle is substantially irreversibly separablefrom the dongle.
 53. A method, comprising: providing, to a player of avideo game, a two-piece dongle, wherein the first piece of the donglestores a game program operable to facilitate execution of the videogame, and wherein the second piece of the dongle comprises a memorydisposed within a secure perimeter; receiving, by a processing device,from the player and after a play of the video game by the player, thesecond piece of the dongle, wherein the memory of the second piece ofthe dongle stores (i) an indication of an outcome of the play of thevideo game and (ii) verification information; verifying, by theprocessing device and utilizing the verification information, that thegame outcome was properly achieved by the player; and providing, via theprocessing device and after the verifying and based on the game outcome,a prize to the player.
 54. The method of claim 53, wherein theverifying, comprises: requesting that the player provide a code that iscaused to be output by the first piece of the dongle; receiving anindication of the code from the player; and comparing the code to theverification information to verify that the second piece of the dongleis related to the first piece of the dongle.
 55. The method of claim 53,wherein the verifying, comprises: requesting that the player provide acode that is caused to be output by the first piece of the dongle inresponse to input provided by the player; receiving an indication of thecode from the player; and comparing the code to the verificationinformation to verify the identity of the player.
 56. The method ofclaim 55, wherein the input provided by the player comprises biometricinput provided via a biometric device of the first piece of the dongle.57. The method of claim 55, wherein the input provided by the playercomprises gaming signature input provided via a game controller incommunication with the first piece of the dongle.
 58. The method ofclaim 53, wherein the verification information comprises GPS data sensedby a GPS device of the second piece of the dongle during the play of thevideo game by the player, and wherein the verifying, comprises:determining that the play of the video game occurred at an authorizedlocation.
 59. The method of claim 53, wherein the verificationinformation comprises GPS data sensed by a GPS device of the secondpiece of the dongle during the play of the video game by the player, andwherein the verifying, comprises: determining that the play of the videogame did not occur at an unauthorized location.
 60. The method of claim53, wherein the second piece of the dongle is received after having beensnapped-off from the first piece of the dongle.